15 romantic destinations that every couple should visit at least once

Visiting a new place and culture is one of the best experiences you can share with your significant other, even if you’re not a hopeless romantic.

You see new sides of your partner that you have never seen before, and you bring out the best in each other as you travel to exotic locales and romantic destinations.

With such a vast and interesting world, there are literally thousands of places you and your partner can visit.

The problem now is, you can only have so many vacation days per year, so how do you decide where to go?

We’ve made it easier for you and boiled it down to 15 incredible places every couple should travel to together.

1) Whistler, Canada

If you are looking for an active trip built for ski lovers—both beginners and veterans—the Whistler and Blackcomb mountains in Canada are a great place to visit.

Take a trek up the mountains, witness the snow-capped forests from a hanging gondola, have lunch at a cozy and beautiful country mountain lodge, and ski back down the mountain with the wind in your hair.

If you’re done with skiing, you can always visit Canada’s own winter wonderland—Whistler Village is a quaint yet lively village where you can reconnect with the simple things in life.

2) Tanzanian Safari

Most people who travel to Tanzania go there to conquer the famous Mount Kilimanjaro, but Kilimanjaro is just one of the many experiences you can soak up in Tanzania.

Another popular tourist attraction are the national parks and wildlife conservation sites, where tourists can sign up for a safari and witness the wildlife in a way most people have never experienced.

See lions and giraffes and gazelles in their natural habitats, and meet and bond with aa local tribe. Afterwards, don’t forget to visit the largest volcanic caldera in the world, Ngorongoro Crater.

3) Bali, Indonesia

Bali is often referred to as the “Island of the Gods”, and it’s not hard to see why. As one of the most beautiful and serene islands in the world, Bali is filled with lush forests and greenery, with beaches to die for and sand that slips between your toes.

And if you want some excitement, Bali is world famous for its nightlife, with music and lights pumping until the sun comes out every morning. Don’t forget to visit the many shrines and temples across Bali to spiritually reconnect before you leave.

4) Oxford, England

If you want to experience London but would like to get away from the big city life, Oxford may be the next best thing.

Just two hours from London, Oxford is the English experience that every tourist wants to see, with Medieval architecture, small pubs, and cobblestone streets.

You will feel like you jumped back in time to the Romance Age, and you might not want to come back.

5) Tulum, Mexico

Any romantic vacation requires two things: exotic settings and intimate experiences. For this, Tulum is the perfect resource of both.

Some of their tourist sites include the Mayan ruins, the aquatic theme park known as Xel-Ha Park, dozens of tropical beaches, and swimming in a cenote, or a natural sinkhole.

6) Santorini, Greece

You have probably seen Santorini in your Instagram or Twitter. It’s recently become the latest hot destination for newlyweds on their honeymoons, for several reasons.

Mainly, it’s because Santorini resembles an oasis in the middle of the sea, with weathered and hilly streets straight out of the 18th century and a city filled with bright blue and white buildings.

Mixed with incredible sunsets and amazing beaches, Santorini is the Greek dream.

7) Hakone, Japan

Hakone is one of the lesser known tourist destinations for those looking to visit Japan, but skipping Hakone means missing out on the full Japanese experience.

Just a day trip away from Tokyo, Hakone is the relaxing and provincial alternative to the busy city life of the Japanese capital.

Visit natural wonders like Mount Fuji and Lake Ashi, and take aa boat to the famous Hakone Shrine. After a long day of riding through the mountains and across the lakes, melt the exhaustion away at a hot spring in a traditional Japanese inn.

8) Paris, France

Paris may be the cliché destination of a lifetime when it comes to going abroad, but there’s a reason why it’s become so cliché: because people love it.

Paris, or the City of Light, is renowned for its beauty and mystique, with popular destinations like the Eiffel Tower to fill your day.

With world famous restaurants, hotels, theme parks, and cultural landmarks, you will never run out of things to do in Paris.

9) Amalfi Coast, Italy

Step away from Milan or Venice, and take a look at the Amalfi Coast when planning your next Italian vacation.

The natural Mediterranean scenery and lifestyle can do wonders for anyone looking to disconnect and just relax.

The picturesque seaside villages and tourist destinations like the Emerald Grotto will take you back in time. With museums, medieval churches, and gardens galore, you will never run out of places to visit in this corner of Italy.

10) Northern Norway

Stars may be getting more and more difficult to see, with light pollution (and regular pollution) clogging up the night sky, but one stargazing experience you can still take in is watching the Northern Lights. The Northern Lights—waves of purple, blue, and pink in the sky—can be seen across the Northern half of Norway.

If you find yourself in the area from anywhere between autumn to April, try camping outside and spend the night watching something you have never before seen.

And if your Norway trip is anywhere from May to July, stay up until midnight and look up—you will witness the midnight sun.

11) Whitsunday Islands, Australia

Looking for the getaway from Sydney, the real coastal Australian experience?

The Whitsunday Islands in Australia are located right in the middle of the Great Barrier Reef. A collection of 74 islands, the Whitsunday Islands are filled with white-sanded beaches, crystal clear water, and an entire world of marine life for you to explore.

With over four miles of beaches, you and your partner are guaranteed to find the romantic adventure you crave.

12) Porto, Portugal

The exploration age of the 17th century is perfectly captured in the merchant waterfront city of Porto.

The moment you step off the plane, you are surrounded with baroque churches, cobble-stoned streets, family-owned businesses, and ancient homes.

The Duoro Valley right beside the city is a great destination for wine enthusiasts, with vineyards that date back two millennia. Sample wine and stomp on grapes, and get tipsy on the love, romance, and alcohol of the energy of Porto.

13) Burning Man, Nevada

Burning Man itself may not be a place (it is held in Black Rock City, Nevada), but the event is so one-of-a-kind that it can’t be left off a list like this. Burning Man is known worldwide for its spiritual experience. Some may think of it as a camping experience, but Burning Man allows you and your partner to create memories you won’t experience anywhere else.

Strip yourself of the conveniences of the modern world, and adapt the cool, casual, go-where-the-wind-blows lifestyle that Burning Man embodies. With parties, art, and unique people, Burning Man is definitely a once in a lifetime experience.

14) Cappadocia, Turkey

When you want to visit a place that literally looks “out of this world”, Cappadocia is the destination for you. Cappadocia is famous for its “fairy chimneys”, which are rock formations all across the landscape that resemble chimneys and tents.

Exploring Cappadocia is like exploring another world, a world made out of rocks: underground cities, cave churches, homes and entire livelihoods carved into rocks.

And the best part of Cappadocia is that you can experience it twice: once from the ground, and a second time from the sky, with hot air balloons ready to lift off and take any couple on the ride of their lives.

15) Buenos Aires, Argentina

The capital of Argentina, Buenos Aires, is a hotspot of activity and life that will take away all your time if you’re not careful.

The city hosts hundreds of plays every weekend, and the world-famous opera house, Teatro Colón, is always sure to have a performance every week.

Buenos Aires is the performance arts capital of South America, with dancing and shows around every corner of the bustling and sleepless city.

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I’m Lachlan Brown, the founder and editor of Hack Spirit. I love writing practical articles that help others live a more mindful and better life. I have a graduate degree in Psychology and I’ve spent the last 6 years reading and studying all I can about human psychology and practical ways to hack our mindsets. If you to want to get in touch with me, hit me up on Twitter or Facebook.